In the 70s, candy bars were a quick and affordable treat, the perfect indulgence after school or at the movies. Most of them cost just a few cents, and you’d grab them without a second thought. But times have changed, and so have the prices. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and check out some of our favorite candy bars from the 70s—and what they’ll cost you today!
1. Baby Ruth
Another classic from the 70s, Baby Ruth bars offered a rich combination of nougat, peanuts, and caramel for around 15 to 20 cents. Nowadays, you’ll have to fork over about $1.75 for this iconic bar. Though it costs more, one bite still takes you back to those days when it was your after-school go-to.
2. Snickers
In the 70s, a Snickers bar was around 15 to 20 cents. On the pricier end, it could get to 25 to 33 cents, with some nostalgic candy enthusiasts remembering when $1 started to feel outrageous. It was the ultimate energy booster with its rich combination of nougat, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate. Today? A single Snickers bar will set you back about $1.50 to $2 depending on where you shop. It’s a stark reminder that the cost of satisfying that sweet tooth has risen with the times!
3. Mars Bar
Remember the Mars Bar? It was packed with caramel and nougat, coated in milk chocolate, and sold for about 20 cents in the 70s. These days, if you can find a Mars Bar, expect to pay upwards of $2.50! The price might sting, but biting into one will bring all those memories flooding back.
4. Milky Way
Back in the day, a Milky Way bar was the go-to candy if you loved chewy caramel and nougat. Priced at just 15 to 20 cents in the 70s, you felt like you were getting a lot for your money. Today, it’s close to $1.50 to $2.00—depending on where you shop—making it one of many candies whose price tag has more than tripled over the decades.
5. 3 Musketeers
Light, fluffy, and sweet, 3 Musketeers bars were around 15 cents each in the 70s. They were perfect if you wanted something satisfying but not too heavy. Nowadays, they cost closer to $1.50, which makes you miss the days when a handful of coins could get you something so tasty!
6. Whatchamacallit
This quirky candy bar became a cult favorite when it was released in the late 70s. At about 25 cents each, Whatchamacallit bars were a bit of a splurge back then. Today, they’ve become somewhat of a specialty item, and you’ll pay around $1.79 for one. Prices have certainly changed, but that crispy, peanut-buttery goodness remains the same!
7. Clark Bar
The Clark Bar was a crunchy, peanut-butter-filled classic, and in the 70s, it would cost you about 15 cents. These days, they’re harder to find, but if you do come across one, expect to pay closer to $2.50! The nostalgia, though, is priceless.
8. Chunky
Chunky bars, with their unique square shape and mix of raisins and nuts, were sold for about 20 to 25 cents in the 70s. Today, if you find one at the store, it’ll cost you around $2. It’s hard to believe how much things have changed, but it’s still worth every penny for that rich, retro taste.
9. Butterfinger
A Butterfinger in the 70s was a crunchy, peanut butter-flavored delight that you could get for about 15 cents. Today, that same candy bar will set you back about $1.50. It’s a reminder of how the simple pleasures of childhood have become just a bit more expensive—but still just as delicious.
10. Zero Bar
Zero Bars were a unique blend of caramel, peanut, almond nougat, and white chocolate, and they sold for about 20 cents in the 70s. Today, Zero Bars are still around, but they now cost around $1.79. Even though the price has gone up, it’s still the same one-of-a-kind treat from your childhood.
11. PayDay
PayDay, with its salted peanuts and caramel, was a salty-sweet favorite that you could buy for around 15 to 20 cents in the 70s. Nowadays, you’ll find it on shelves for about $1.50 to $2. Prices may have gone up, but that mix of flavors is still as satisfying as ever.
12. Mallo Cup
Mallo Cups were a sweet indulgence in the 70s, priced at about 10 to 15 cents. Their chocolate-covered marshmallow filling was a hit with anyone who had a sweet tooth. Today, they cost around $1.50. While it might seem pricey compared to the past, it’s worth it for a taste of nostalgia.
While these candy bars may have increased in price, the memories they carry are just as sweet. Back in the 70s, we could grab a handful of candy for pocket change and indulge without a second thought. Now, everything costs more, but the joy of unwrapping a favorite treat remains timeless. Sometimes, all it takes is one bite to take you back to the good old days when life—and candy—was a little simpler.
